Although, the history of Waqf dates back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), it is only popular and well-known in Muslim-majority countries and regions of the world. This form of charitable donation is still misunderstood today. So, here are eight things you need to know about Waqf:

1. The word ‘Waqf’ literally means ‘to stop’

Waqf originates from the word ‘waqafa’, which means to stop or halt. Some even go as far as defining it as “to hold”, “to confine” or “to prohibit. Waqf means the property detained stands still, is held still and not to let go “al-habs” or is blocked “al-mana”, by preventing it from becoming the property of a third person. Waqf is regarded as the practice of dedicating buildings, lands or other assets for the use or benefit of the people. In Islam, a property from a waqif (donor) will be endowed from the beginning to the end, in the name of God.

2. Waqf is 1 of the 3 things benefitting you even after your death

Waqf or Sadaqah Jariyah is one of the most rewarding acts a person can do in his or her lifetime. A person can reap the benefits of this act of charity when he or she is alive and also long after his or her passing. According to a famous Hadith, “When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity), a beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”

3. The oldest university in the world is a Waqf

UNESCO and Guinness World Records confirm that the University of Al Quaraouiyine is the oldest existing, higher educational institution in the world. Founded by a woman named Fatima al-Fihri in 859, the Al Quaraouiyine university, mosque and hospital complex are all additions to a Waqf donation by al-Fihri. She bestowed her land to the community by specifying it as a Waqf. Because of that, the University of Al Quaraouiyine still operates to this day, serving as proof of the importance of Waqf in the birth of the modern university.

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